William VanHuss

Farmington
William "Bill" R. Van Huss Jr.
June 19, 1922 - September 19, 2016
William R. (Bill) Van Huss Jr., was born June 19th, 1922, to William R. Van Huss and Lena Smith Van Huss in Midland, Texas, and passed from this life to life eternal on September 4th, 2016.Bill grew up south of Midland on the family ranch. He achieved Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts and graduated from Midland High before leaving to serve in the US Navy Seabees in WWII. Afterward, he attended New Mexico A and M and received a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture. While there he was on the livestock and meats judging teams. He was a rancher in several places within New Mexico. He later served as a NM State Livestock Inspector and then as an Agent for the NM Cooperative Extension Service in Dulce. He retired from Plateau Refinery in Bloomfield.He was a member of the Masonic Lodge where he served as Master of San Juan # 25 lodge as well as Four Corners Daylight # 80 lodge. He served as Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department at Dulce while living there. He enjoyed helping his friends work livestock, riding his mules, camping, reloading ammunition, shooting and working on firearms and for a while traveling in his RV. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren and supported them in their various activities.He was preceded in death by his second wife of 42 years, Betty Lou, his parents, a brother J.E. Van Huss, and grandson David Swift.He is survived by his son W.R. (Bill) Van Huss III and wife Louise of Farmington, daughter Mary Swift and husband Rick of Los Lunas, stepdaughters Carmen Price and husband Pat, and Esther Nickles, stepson Ronnie Bingham, grandsons William (Billy) Van Huss IV of Farmington and J.T. Van Huss of Tucson, granddaughter Alanna McDuff and husband Jonny of Albuquerque and great- grandchildren Brody Van Huss and Jeremiah and Abigail McDuff.Graveside services will be held at Memory Gardens in Farmington at 9 am on Saturday, September 10th with Masonic Rites and Military Honors.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Bill's memory to Gideon's International or Masonic Charities.The family would like to offer a sincere thank you to the Guardian Angel Hospice team for their caring and kind help during Bill's illness.William's care is entrusted to Alternative Choice Funeral and Cremation, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com